Council of Nicaea: Difference between revisions

One of the main agendas at the Council of Nicaea was the Arian controversy. The Arian controversy originated when [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Arius Arius], a Christian presbyter in Alexandria, Egypt, argued that Jesus Christ is not God but a mere creature. Among the 300 bishops who attended the Council of Nicaea, approximately 20 supported Arius. It was [https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Athanasius Athanasius], a Greek from Alexandria, who staunchly opposed Arius during the council. Athanasius vehemently rejected Arius’s doctrine, asserting the equality of Christ with God. Constantine mandated that all bishops sign the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the belief that Jesus Christ is of the same essence as God [Homoousios (Greek: ὁμοούσιος,) meaning “of the same essence”]. Seventeen bishops initially opposed this requirement, but under the threat of excommunication by the emperor, the number of dissenters dwindled to two. Ultimately, the two bishops from Africa who refused to sign were excommunicated, along with Arius, and they were deported to Illyria. Additionally, the writings of Arius were burned.  

The Nicene Creed (Greek: Σύμβολον τῆς Νικαίας, Latin: Symbolum Nicaenum), formulated at the Council of Nicaea, stands as a foundational Christian statement of faith. This creed holds a central place in Roman Catholic theology and has been embraced by many Protestant denominations that emerged after the [[Reformation]], as it affirms the doctrine of the Trinity.